Submarine rescue apparatus



Sept. 14, 1943.

D. D. WILLIAMS 2,329,430

SUBMARINE RESCUE APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1941 D. D. Williams Sept. 14, 194 D. D. WILLIAMS 2,329,430

SUBMARINE RESCUE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 8, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 14, 1943 A plication Auguste-1941, 's risrue. 485,966 I v I, iii-clai s. (01. .114 1s.; This invention relates to submarin'e rescue apparatus. I

The general object ofthe invention is to provide an improved apparatus and method for effecting the rescue of persons trapped in a submarine.

A more specific objectoithe invention isto provide a submarine rescue' apparatus including =a novelsignalling buoy.

A further object of the invention is to provide Another object of the invention-is to provide a novel means for guiding the-rescue bell into place upon a submerged object. I

Another object of the invention is to nrovide a. submarine rescue apparatus including novel means for holding a rescue bell upon a submarine;

Another objectof the-invention is to provide a novel valve controlled means permitting a diving bell to be readily secured upon and released l'rom a submerged vessel;

Other objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, description,

taken J in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein: f

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a submarine emhodying featuresof myinvention; I

f Fig. 2 1s a side elevationshowinfi the rescue jbellpartially descended; y I I Fig. 3 is afrag'mentary section, on anenlarged scale, showing the signal buoy in'the submarine recess; v

Figihiis a fragmentary section, on an enlarged scale, showing the buoy fpartially removed from the recess; v i r I I Fig. 51s a frag 'entary section, on an enlarged submarine;' 3 v Fig. 6 is a 'fragmentary section, on a further enlarged scale, taken on the Inlet-6, Fig; 5; t

scale, showingfthe rescue bell in place on the s an apparatus including a novel rescue bell, I

Fig. is a fragmentary section,on an enlarged scale, taken on line 11, Fig; 5; and

j Fig; 8 is a plan on an .enlargediscale showine the manhole cover. I I

1 Referring to the drawings by reference char acters, I have shown my invention as embodied in a isubmarine vessel which isindicated generally at I 0. j As shown the submarine hasa recess ll' therein which opens outwardly and is normally covered bya cover plate [2 secur'edto the the submarine. 1 released and the plate was its "be removed, the valve I! may be opened thusr admitting seawater I dottedlines in Fig, 5.

buoy body may b sed' while-at 'th'e same 'a heavy internal err emssqrewm prevent collapse of the buoy'duetb hydrostatic pressure;

4 Attached to the edit-able releasable mean I show a cable which -e-Xteii'd into the interior of thesubmai'ine ane-may be peere se- *cured to and wound-upon adrum -lip ,frhe

cable l5 passes through a suitable paclgingig lfand inthe bottom-ofthe recess 14-.

Communicating with the o fgthesubma- 'rine andtheinterior or recess H rpro'vme "a conduit is which evolve J1 intermediate the -length' meleean; operable 3mm within When' thebolts 113 have been into the recess H and thereby-equalize the "hydrostatic pressure on "either side of r the plate.

By releasing tension on timetable l5,-.'the:-buoyant effect of the buoy llwill'iims'h the: plate i2 .away

from the recess-arid :theabnoy' will then ascend to-the surface as the cable Iii unr eelsj from the A rescue ship. ll,upon1locating1the buoy; as.

' taches the cable llitherefroin and attachesthe cableto a rescue bell =18; themescuebelli! inieludes tin-eye 20 at the'top thereof to which a cable 21 is secured; 'Thev-oahlefllfzis operable preferably."from:the rescue.,-:shi p toi -lower and raise the rescue bell :19. I The rescue :bcll j 9 also includes a hottom12--of thexsameqcontour as the exterior of the submarine. :The bottom .22 hasa gasket .22 about the outer-periphery thereof and a manhole ;23-in-tl;u-: center thereof which -may be closedlb'y a cover 231 jTheicover 23' has 1 a. flange 25 ladiacentthe outer periphery thereof u h which zbolts lifil- :nre positioned to secure rescue bell descends. 1 I 2 Two hook rods 24 are'pivoted to the inter'wrpf qthe top of the belll 9 as at 24.v andareadapted to engage handles 24'. uncover plate 23'ewhen the cover plate is V raised toethe position shown by The rescue ,bell valso includes three guide rods 29 each pivoted at one .end thereof to the exterior guide rods 29 include end portions 3| wmcn'gre at such an to ,bar 28 that they are parallel to the cable liwhen iilaoed against the cable. The 3lvvachi nclu'de arcuate e of the cable to the windlass 28.

The cover 23 has a threaded aperture 39 there-, r

in which may be closed by an externally threaded plug which has a knurled knob portion 4| thereon by which the plug may be inserted into and removed from the aperture 39.

The rescue bell has aconduit 42 therethrough,

which at one end communicates with the exterior of the bell at the side thereof as at 43 and at the other end communicates with the exterior of the .ball at the bottom thereof adjacent themanhole asat 44. Intermediate the conduit 42 is a valve ,45 operable from the interior of the bell IS. The conduit also includes an outlet 46 with a valve 41 therein also operable from within the bell IS. The outlet communicates with the interior of thebell A I After the cable l5 is releasedfrom the buoy l4, it is insertedlthrough the slip ring 33 and through aperture 21 in the cover 23'. The ,cover 23 is opened anda rescue man (not shown) enters the rescue bellv l9. The rescuepman secures the end The guide bars 29 are then pivoted so that the ends 3| surround the cable |5, whereupon, the slip ring 33 is slid over the ends 3| 'to hold them in place. The rescue man closes the cover 23 and secures it by Imeans of .bolts 26, closes the valves 45 and 4'! and secures the plug 49in the aperture 39. The bell .|9is. then lowered into the water and allowed to descend byv means of cable 2|. The rescue man keeps the cable |5 as taut as possible by winding the slack on windlass 28 as the descent is made. Cable I5 thusacts as a guide for the bell |9.. As the bell approaches the submarine, the guide rods 29 urge it into correct seating 1 position relative tothe chamber When the bell is seated against the submarine, the rescue man opens the valve 41 thus reducing thehydros tatic pressureln the recess II .and againstthe bottom of thebell l9.

The hydrostatic pressure on the top of the bell forcesit into tight engagement with the submarine. The bell |9seats over the exterior opening of the conduit l6 so that if the valve. H is left open, communication between the sea and chamber II is out off. The rescue man then removes the plug 46, inserts his hand with the free end of -the air delivery hose 36 through the aperture 39 1 and connects the hoseto an air tube 48 and opens the valve 49. Thus air isdelivered into the interior of the submarine into which the air tube 48 extends.

\ Therescue man then turns a valve handle 50 to chamber II is thus drained into the'submarine- A guide 53 secured to the wall of the chamber provides a bearingfor the stem 53' of the valve 5|. The cover is then released after removin the I bolts 26 and raised to the position shown by dotted V j lines in Fig. 5 andthe hooks are engaged. The

slip ring 33 is then disengaged from the guide rods 29 which are then allowed to hang vertically as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5. The valve 38 may be opened to supply air to the interior of the I through manhole 23' into the rescue bell |9 until the desired number of occupants are removed. The cover 56 is then replaced, the rods 29 secured in place by slip ring 33, the valve 5| closed, then valve 49 is closed, the air delivery hose is disconnected from the air tube 48 and is pulled through the aperture 39. The plug 4|) is then inserted into the aperture 39, the cover 23' is closed and secured. The valve 41 is then closed and the valve 45 opened thuscreating communication between the sea and chamber so that hydrostatic pressure is equalized at the top and bottom ofthe bell I!) thus breaking the seal between the bell and the submarine and allowing the bell to be hoisted tothesurface and the rescued occupantsremoved therefrom.- As the bell |9 ascends to the surface, the cable I5 is allowed to uni-eel from the windlass 28.

The buoy I4 is preferably provided with suitable signalling means such as a smoke bomb 60 which when operated by a'spark gap 6| willbe noticed by near-by vessels, The leads 62 and 63 to the spark gap 6| may be enclosed within the cable l5.

If more occupants areleft inlthe submarine the .described operation may be repeated. i

From the foregoing it willbe apparent that I have invented a novel submarine rescue apparatus and method which is highly efficient for its intended purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In an apparatus for eflecting a rescue from a submerged submarine, asubmarlne having an outwardly opening recess,. a cable extending 'throughthe recess and into the submarine, a

diving bell, means to attach the diving bell to the cable, means 'in the bell to "pullgin and pay out the cable, guide means on the diving bell engaging the cable to seat the bell over therecess,

the diving bell having a bottom larger thanthe opening of said recess, a conduit in, the diving bell and having one end communicating withthe interior of the recess and the other end communicatingwith the interior of thediving bell, said conduit having a 'valve :therein whereby Y when said valve is opened pressure is released from within the recess and hydrostatic pressure holds the bell on the submarine,isaid bell, bottom having a'manholeand a cover therefor, said manhole coveryhaving a hand hole therein, a plug removably mounted in said hand hole; an air conduit in, said diving bell,.a hose attached to said'air conduitan air tube in said recess affording communication between the interior of the submarine and the'interioror said recess,

said air tube having a valve operable from within said recess, means to releasably attach the "air hose to thelair tube-whereby air may be delivered intothe submarine, means to suspend said manhole coverabove'said msnholm a. drain: duitafiording communication between the inter rior of the; submarine and the"; bottom qfuthe recess, said conduit having-a valve therein, means to operate said drain valve from the top of the under pressure may enterthe recess to equalize pressure on the top and bottom of the divingrbell,

2. A submarine having an outwardly opening recess, a cableextendingthroug-h the recessand into the submarine, a diving bell, guide means on the diving bell engaging the cable to, seat the bell over the recess, the diving :bell havinga bottom larger than the opening'ofsaid recess, a drain conduit inithe bottom ofgtherecess, an air tube in said recess affording communication between the interior of the submarineand the interior of said recess, said air tubehaving a valve operable from within said recess, means to releasably attach anair' hose to the air tube whereby air may be delivered into the submarine, said drain conduit affording communicationbetween the interior of the submarine and the bot- .tom of the recess, said drain conduit having a valve therein, means to operate said drainvalve from the top of the recesssaid recess havingan exit manhole permitting passage therethrough,.

,through the recess and into the'submarinea diving bell, means to attach the diving bell to the cable, means in thebell to pull in and pay out the cable, guide means on the diving bell engaging the cable to seat the bell over-the reicess, the diving bell having a ,bottom larger than the opening of said, recess, "said bellbottom having a manhole anda cover therefor, saidmanhole cover having a handhole therein, an air tube in said recess aflording communication between the interior of the submarine and the interior of said recess, a removable closure for said hand hole, and a hose passing through said hand hole and attached to said air conduit, said air tube having a valve operable from within said recess.

4. In an apparatus for effecting a. rescue from a. submerged submarine, a submarine having an outwardly opening recess, a cable extending through the-recess and into the submarine, a diving bell, means to attach the diving bell to the cable, means in the bell to pull in and pay out the cable, guide means on the diving bell engaging the cable to seat the bell over the recess, the diving bell having a bottom larger than the opening of said recess, a conduit in the bell and having one end communicating with the interior of the recess and the other end communicating with the exterior of the submarine, said conduit having a valve therein operable from within the submarine whereby when said valve is opened pressure is balanced between the recess and the sea, said bell bottom having a manhole and a cover therefor, said recess having an exit manhole permitting passage therethrough, a

cover for said last mentioned manhole, and means operable fromwithin the submarine or recess to releasev the exit manhole cover.; I

:5. In an apparatus for effecting a, rescue from a submerged submarine, a submarine having an outwardlyopening recess, a cable extending through the recess and into the submarines diving bell, means to attach the diving-bell to the cable, means in the bellrto pull in andpay out thecable, guide means on the diving bell engaging the cable toseat the bell over the recess, the diving bell having a bottom larger than the opening of said recess, a conduit in the recess and having one end communicating with the interior of the recess and thecther end com-v municating with the interior of the submarine,

said conduit having a'valve therein whereby when said valve is opened pressure is released from within the recess and hydrostatic pressure holds itheb'ell onthe submarine, said bell bottom having a manhole and acover therefor, said manhole cover having a hand hole therein, a plug removably mounted in said hand hole, an air conduit in said diving bell, a hose attached to said air conduit, an air tube in said recess at,

i:ording communication between the interionot .the submarine and the interior of said recess,

said air tube having a valve operable from within said recess, and means to releasably attach the air hose to the air tube whereby air may be delivered into the submarine.

6. Inan apparatus for effecting a rescue from a submerged submarine, a submarine having an outwardly opening recess, a cable. extending through the recess and into the submarine, a

diving bell, means to attachthediving bell to the cable, means in the bell to, pull in and pay out the cable, the diving bell having a bottom larger than the opening of said recess, a conduit communicating at one end with the 1111-. terior of the recess and at the other end coin"- municating with the interior of the submarine, said conduit having a valve 'thereinl'operable I from Within the submarine whereby when said 7 valve is opened pressure is released from within the recess, said bell bottom having. amanhole and a cover therefor, said, recess'havingan exit manhole permitting passage therethrough,

a cover for said last mentioned manhole, means operable from within the submarine. or recess to release the exit manhole cover, and conduit means extending through the diving bell and communicating at one end with the interior of the recess and at the other end with the sea,

said last mentioned conduit having a valve therein whereby fluid under pressure may enter the recess to equalize'pressure between the sea and the recess.

7. In an apparatus for effecting a rescue from a submerged submarine, a submarine having an outwardly opening recess, a cable extending through the recess and into the submarine, a diving bell, means to attach the diving bell to the cable, means in thebell to pull in and pay out the cable, guide means on the diving bell engaging the cable to seat the bell over the recess, the diving bell having a bottom larger than the opening of said recess, aconduit in the bell comremovable closure for said hand hole, an air conduit in said diving bell, ahose attached to said air conduit, anair tubein said recess affording communicationbetween the interior of the submarine and the interior of' said recess, said air tube having a valve operableffrom withins'aid recess; meansto releasably attach the air-hose to these tube whereby airmay be deliveredihto the submarine, said'reces 'having an exit 'man holepermitting passage; therethrough, a cover for said last mentioned manholefand means operable from within the submarine; or recessto release the exit manholecover. v v 5 8. Inyan apparatus for eifectinga rescue from a submerged submarinej'asubmarine having an outwardly opening recess, a cable extending through the recess'and into the submarinea diving bell, means to" attach thediving bell to the cable, means in the bell to'pull in and pay out the cable, guide meanson the divingjbell engaging the cable to seat the bell over the recess, thediving bell having a--bottom larger than the opening of said're'cess, a drain conduit in the recess and having one end communicating with the'interior of the recess and the otherfle'nd communicating with theinterior of the submarine, said conduit having a valve therein hereby when said valve is opened pressure is released from Within-the recess and hydrostatic pressure holds-the bell on the submarine, said bell bottom having a manhole and a cover' therefor, said manhole cover having ahand holetherein, a plug removably mountedin said hand hole, an air conduit in said diving bell, a hose attached to said air conduit, an air tube inv said recess affording communication between the interior of the submarine andthe interior of said recess, said air tube having a valve operable from within said recess, means to releasably attach the air hose to the air tube whereby air may be delivered into the submarine, means to suspend aid manhole 3 cover above said manhole, said drain conduit afiording communication between the interior of the submarine and the bottom of the recess, said drain conduit having a valve therein, means "to operate said drain valve from the top of the recess, said recess having an exit manhole permitting, passage therethroug'h, a cover for said last mentioned manhole, and means operable from within the submarine or recess to release the exit manhole cover.

9. In an apparatus for effecting a rescue Irom a submerged submarine, a submarine having an outwardly opening recess, a cable extending through the recess and into the submarine, a diving bell,- means to attach the diving bell to the cable, means in the bell to pull in and pay out the cable, guide means on the diving;be1l engaging the cable to seat the bell over the recess, the diving bell having a bottom larger than the opening of said recess, said bell bottom having a. manhole and a cover therefor, said manhole cover having a hand hole therein, a plug removably mounted in said hand hole, an air conduit in said diving bell, a hose attached to said air conduit, an air tube in said recess aflording communication between the interior of the submarine and theiinterior of said recess, said air tube having a valve operable from within said recess, means to releasably attach the air hose to the air 20 tube whereby airmay be delivered into the submarine, a drain conduit afiordingcornmumcation between the interior of the submarine. and the bottom of said recess, said drain conduit havin a valve therein, means to operate said drain valve from the top of "the recess, said recess havingan exit manhole permitting passage therethrough, a cover for said last mentioned manhole, means operable from within the submarine orthe recess to'release the exit manhole cover, 0 and conduit means extending through the diving bell and communicating at one end with the interior of the recess and at the other end with the sea said last mentioned conduit having a valve therein whereby fluid under pressure may ,e nter the'recess to equalize pressure between the top of the submarineand the recess.

10; In an apparatus for effectinga rescue from a submerged submarine, a submarine having an outwardly opening recess, a cable extending 4 -throu'gh the recess and into the submarine, a "diving bell, means to attach the diving bell to the cable, meansin the bell to pull in and'pay out the cable, a plurality of guide rods pivoted'to the bell at their upper ends, means to releasably secure the lower ends of the guide rods together, the guide rods converging downwardly and engaging the cable-the guide rods serving to seat the believer the recess, the diving bell having a bottom largerthanthe opening of said recess so DJALMA DQWNEY WILLIAMS. 

